Jayapura, Jubi – Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG) congratulates the Honourable Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on his stand for West Papua’s human rights and sovereignty issues.
YWPG in their press release, Thursday (17/9/2015) is pleased that the Hon. PM has made a firm stand on West Papua’s plight for freedom and desire to be a sovereign nation as other Pacific Islands nations. The Group is also pleased that PM Sogavare has appointed a diplomatic envoy to West Papua Hon. Matthew Wale and congratulates Hon. Wale on his new appointment. YWPG is grateful that Solomon Islands Government and leaders now recognize the struggle of West Papuans.
The group understands that Solomon Islands as a nation is now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Vanuatu and Samoa to support West Papua in its struggle.
YWPG has been a strong supporter of ending the violence done against the people of West Papua, and members within the group have been actively involved in pushing for Solomon Islands to stand with West Papua as a Melanesian nation.
In its support, YWPG marched to start its “Free West Papua” campaign early this year during the International Women’s Day on Tuesday 10th March 2015.
YWPG’s campaign was based on ending human rights violations against West Papuans, themed “Stop the Violence. Make it happen.”
YWPG applauds champion politicians such as Hon. Derrick Manu’ari, and now the Hon. Matthew Wale and PM Sogavare for bringing the concerns of West Papua’s struggle into the government’s diplomatic circle.
On this note, YWPG also applauds both civic and church leaders, groups such as Solomon Islands in Solidarity for West Papua, and the countless citizens who have made West Papua a household name in Solomon Islands. (*)
